A Parametric Analysis of Thermal Comfort of Street Vendors in the Traditional Settlements of Patna, India

Abstract

High population and fewer opportunities in rural areas, coupled with migration has resulted in an increase of population in urban areas of developing countries like India. Unskilled labour and a low level of education have forced people to resort to street vending for their livelihood. Moreover, street vending does not need high levels of skills and there is also no rental burden. In fact, it has a very low capital requirement. They now make up about 2% of the population of the metropolis, an enormous growth in recent years. Therefore, street vendors involved in selling goods and services to people on the streets play a crucial role in urban economies. However, they have to frequently deal with difficult working conditions, such as exposure to thermal discomfort and poor air quality.This paper examines how thermal comfort affects street vendors on different road geometries and settlements. It is assumed that the built environment along the street is an important parameter that governs thermal comfort of the hawkers and vendors. In order to achieve the intended outcome of thermal comfort, the research uses the empirical data collection of weather parameters and uses it in established software (Rayman). It is verified by means of a systematic questionnaire survey conducted among the intended target group (vendors). As research methodologies, PET (°C)/PMV were calculated by gathering all the data (Physiological & Weather) for two different street geometries at the same time. The readings were taken for statistically significant sample for a large period of time during summer. In doing so, it compares, Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET)/ Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) for traditional and modern streets.The findings show that traditional streets are thermally more compatible for street vendors in a composite climate where hot days are more, for most part of the year.